When traveling this past week, the passenger in front of me at security had a quart size jug of maple syrup. He had put it in one of the plastic tubs to go through the x-ray machine. I asked one of the TSA screeners how it was possible for a passenger to take that through security. He said the liquid/gel rules recently changed.

According to that screener, passengers are now allowed to take containers of any size through security. The key is that the containers cannot appear to contain more than 3.4 ounces of a liquid or a gel. In the case of the quart jug of maple syrup, the screener said it must have been partially used. Apparently that determination is made by the person viewing the x-ray screen. I noticed that no one did a physical inspection of the jug even though it was sitting, plain as day, in the plastic tray.

The last couple times I've traveled I've purposely left my liquids and gels out of the tray, just to see if anyone said anything. Granted, all items were within the allowed limits, so if I was 'caught' I would have been within the rules, but I was never once queried about whether or not I had any liquids or gels. It's a joke if you ask me. I swear next time I'm not even going to bother to pack a plastic bag because no one even bothers to ask if I have one! I feel somewhat bad because I know the rules and regs, but if they're not enforced then what's the point?

Quoting N623JB (Reply 2):I just wish they could relax on the rule about "TICKETED PASSENGERS ONLY" too.

See below...

Quoting Andz (Reply 3):People without tickets do not belong beyond security. Airports are busy enough as it is!

If you walk through the C concourse at any given time in SEA, it is busier than it was before 9/11. Same goes to all of the concourses in DEN and DCA.... Anyone wishing that the current rule should be done away with is crazy.

Quoting Andz (Reply 7):Think what you like. No one except passengers have ever been allowed past security in this country and many others, and that's how it should be.

Very, very incorrect. In the 1970s, up to the late 80s, anybody could go through security, In many cases, there was no security checkpoint at all and you could go right to the gate to meet a passenger or look at the airplanes.

The checkpoints were imposed to reduce the number of people in the gate areas and not for any security reasons.

Quoting Acey559 (Reply 6):I swear next time I'm not even going to bother to pack a plastic bag because no one even bothers to ask if I have one!

I haven't been using the plastic bags for a long time as I've noticed that nobody really cares. They never "caught" me in at least 10 different airports, among them JFK and LHR where they put up a very strict attitude. There must be some "internal rule" not to be too strict on this, because I'm sure they could see the liquids on the X-ray.

Quoting Aviationwiz (Reply 13):I'm assuming he meant in South Africa, which I'm sure is true, though I'm not certain.

At AMS I also do not remember ever non pax having access after security. And I've been using AMS since the 80's. I agree that only pax belong after security. If you want to say goodbye, do it before security, it's that simple.

Quoting ThirtyEcho (Reply 10):
Very, very incorrect. In the 1970s, up to the late 80s, anybody could go through security, In many cases, there was no security checkpoint at all and you could go right to the gate to meet a passenger or look at the airplanes.

Even in the 90s. At MIA, I used to go pick up my dad when he was commuting weekly between YUL and MIA on DL (concourse H). This was in 1993 and 1994. Anyone could go through, ticket or no ticket. In fact, it was really funny to see all the desembarking passenger's faces being bombarded by those of us waiting for the flight in the terminal area.

In the United states, at Domestic gates, anybody without a ticket could get through security. At international arrival gates or international terminals, only ticketed flyers can get through. This was up until 2001. I don't know how long only ticketed flyers could get into international arrival/departure gates in the usa though. At airports like AMS, I assume there is none if any domestic departures, that is why only ticketed flyers can get through.

Living in Australia, I think it is great that anybody can get into the airport (except international terminals) to meet incoming friends/family or wave to them as they jet off into the wild blue yonder. However, in the us, I do not know how airports coped in the past. flying through LAX, DEN,DFW, SFO, the airports are so packed with ticketed flyers, I couldn't imagine another addition of 1/3 of the people in there. Amazing.

I called Qantas the other day when I flew about my liquids and they said they don't check them on domestic flights in OZ any more. However, the signs are still up at security. I didn't get stopped two weeks ago when I flew

Quoting N623JB (Reply 2):I just wish they could relax on the rule about "TICKETED PASSENGERS ONLY" too.

No way. Not only are airport concourses horrifically crowded (i.e. SEA, LAX), but checkpoints are a mess now (i.e. LAX T1). Go look at airplanes elsewhere. Why do you want to go inside the secure area anyway? So you can eat at the overpriced HMS Host places?

They changed it, actually, to make it match with the 100 mL rule. It's 3.4 fl oz.

Quoting ManuCH (Reply 12):
I haven't been using the plastic bags for a long time as I've noticed that nobody really cares. They never "caught" me in at least 10 different airports

Same here. I never take my bag out. The only airport I've been "caught" at, is PHX. I just roll my eyes and let them tell me how safe they're making my flight by making sure my shampoo isn't a dangerous 4.1 fl oz.

Quoting ThirtyEcho (Reply 10):The checkpoints were imposed to reduce the number of people in the gate areas and not for any security reasons.

IIRC, the Unitd States is the only country in the World that I have been too Iand I've been to a lot of them), that allowed non-tickets people into the gate area pre 9/11. The excuse that anyone needs to go there to meet and greet is ridiculous. You can meet and geet your friends and family landside.

Personally I too have noticed at many airports, the TSA inspectors are not even asking if you have liquids or telling you to remove them from you bags. It almost seemed to me that the rule was being relaxed somewhat but not made public.